Don't Let Go

Part 20

Betty- Before we continue doing what we're doing...can we talk about this for a second?

Jughead- Yeah, of course. What's up?

Betty- Obviously, I'm pregnant so I'm going to have to put this baby before everything else...and that includes our relationship.

Jughead- Of course, I didn't expect anything else. And I'm going to help you take care of the baby.

Betty- (nods) And sexually, I don't know what you want from me but I don't think I can- (softly)

Jughead- Hey, baby, I'm not asking you to do anything like that. I know what you've been through and I assume you've never done anything before, so I'm not going to push you to do anything with me until you tell me you're 100% ready for it.

Betty- T-Thank you...I'm just too nervous to do anything like that right now. (softly)

Jughead- That's fine. All I want to do is kiss you and love you and help you take care of this beautiful human that you made.

She smiled and curled into him, wrapping her arms around him tightly.

Betty- I love you so much.

Jughead- I love you so much too, baby.

The two of them relaxed for a little while longer before deciding to head home, and as soon as they walked in they saw Ben, Caleb and Fp rushing toward them.

Fp- How'd it go?

Jughead- Great!

Betty- I'm assuming they know.

Jughead- Yes, I told them I was going to ask you.

Betty- And you two allowed it?

Ben- He loves you...of course we said yes.

Caleb- Well, I didn't want to, but Ben convinced me.

Fp- Just be careful you two.

Jughead- Don't worry, we'll be okay.

--

Later that night Betty was laying in her bed while on FaceTime with Cheryl and Toni, she was telling them all about her day with Jughead, and the fact that he asked her to be his girlfriend. But suddenly she heard a lot of noise from downstairs.

On FaceTime:

Betty- Hey guys, I have to go, something is going on downstairs.

Cheryl- Okay, we'll see you for brunch tomorrow, right?

Betty- Yes, definitely. Talk to you later!

Toni- Bye, love.

Betty- Bye!

Off FacTime:

Betty placed her phone down on her nightstand next to her before standing up. She walked out of her bedroom and instantly heard her brothers frantically talking to someone. She walked down the stairs to see what was going on, but as the stairs creaked, everyone went silent. That's when Betty looked at all of them.

Betty- What's going on?

Jughead was standing with Fp while Ben and Caleb were standing closer to the door, but as Ben moved over slightly, Betty saw someone she never thought she'd see again.

Betty- M-Mom? (tears)

Alice- Betty! (tears)

The young girl ran to her mother and hugged her tightly...but as soon as they pulled away, the woman looked down at her stomach. She didn't say anything about it, she just placed her hands on her daughter's cheeks before pulling her closer to her and kissing her head.

Betty- How are you here? I thought you died? (sniffles)

Alice- I know, I know...we need to talk, all of us.

They all nodded, still in shock as they walked into the living room. Betty sat on the couch next to her mother, Jughead sat behind Betty so she could lean against him. Caleb sat in the chair across from them and Ben and Fp stood against the wall.

Alice- I don't even know where to start. (tears)

Caleb- How about, how the fuck are you alive?!

Ben- Caleb, calm down.

Alice- (sighs) I almost died. Your father had taken me to the hospital because he had almost killed me. He broke my neck and I was bleeding internally, the doctors barely saved me. B-But I made them tell you that I had died, I needed to get away from him- (tears)

Caleb- So you just left us with him?!

Alice- Caleb, I- (tears)

Caleb- No! You left us with that monster!

Alice- He was never going to hurt any of you. I had to get out of there- (sniffles)

Ben- You really thought he wasn't going to hurt any of us?

Alice- Yes, you're his children. He couldn't- (sniffles)

Caleb- But he did!

Alice immediately became silent.

Alice- H-He...what did he do? (tears)

Caleb- Ask your daughter!

Alice looked at Betty who already had tears in her eyes.

Alice- Baby... (tears)

Betty- Once you "died" he didn't have anyone to take his anger out on, but apparently I was next on his list...so I became his new punching bag. (tears)

Alice- F-Fuck, I'm sorry. I promise you, I wouldn't have left if I'd have known he would hurt you...what did he do to you? (tears)

Betty- Everything he did to you? (tears)

Alice- E-Everything? (tears)

Betty nodded.

Alice- N-No, h-he didn't...he r-raped you? (tears)

Betty- How do you think I got pregnant? (tears)

Alice- (gasps) Oh my god. (tears)

Alice wrapped her arms around her daughter, pulling her close to her.

Alice- I'm so so sorry, baby. I knew he was terrible, but I never thought he'd- (tears)

Betty- Mom, stop, it's fine. (tears)

Alice- I-I was supposed to protect you! I'm the worst mother in the world. (cries)

Betty- You couldn't have stopped him. (tears)

Alice- But if I would've been there- (cries)

Betty- Then he would've killed you and then still moved on to me. It wouldn't have changed anything. Don't blame yourself. (tears)

Alice nodded and pulled away from her daughter before standing up and hugging her sons. She apologized to them too before hugging Fp. Alice talked to Fp for a moment while Betty was leaning against Jughead. He was kissing her cheek softly while she leaned into him, but then she whispered.